The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by M. Billiter with Kyle Thomas was a deep and emotional read. I felt connected with the characters. The twins and David stood out as their own people. I felt super emotional and worn out after finishing the book. I found the twists and turns well laid out. A really good read.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by M.Billiter with Kyle Thomas
4 Stars
Aaron and Branson are identical twins who survived a rough childhood. In their teens, Trevor (the voice in Branson’s head) emerged and wrecked havoc in their lives. Now as adults in their last year of college, it seems it is happening to Aaron. Aaron is struggling with pressures from school, work and volunteer time. With the realization that he might lose his mother to cancer, David (the voice in his head) has taken the reins. After everything that has happened with Trevor, can the twins survive David?
I remember reading book one and it blew me away so I knew that this one would be excellent as well. Both twins have schizoaffective disorder. Each book is written from a different perspective of the illness. In this story Aaron believes that he has everything under control therefore he doesn’t need help. After seeing what Branson went through with the psychiatrists and the hospital, Aaron definitely doesn’t want a repeat of that for himself.
This is an intense read that shows the ripple effect that this illness has on family and friends. The ending just about broke my heart. My only issue with this book is the constantly changing p.o.v’s. Many times I had to reread passages to figure out who was talking. Aside from that, I loved the book.
Review by @Anna Hirsch
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The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
The Divided Twin by Mary Billiter is the second book in the Divided Series. This is the follow up book to The Divided Mind and personally I think these need to be read in order.
I am so glad to see a follow up to book one. It was great to be able to get back into these characters and their minds. I thought this book was even better than the first one. I was hooked immediately and found myself unable to put the book down. I read it all in one sitting and was thinking about it long after I had finished.
I love the way the whole book was written and how the characters are developed. I found it to be such an interesting read! I would definitely recommend this series to anyone.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin is the second book in The Divided series by M. Billiter and Kyle Thomas. I really recommend reading the first book in the series before this one, as we reunite with identical twins, Aaron & Branson Kovak whom we met in book one.
I found this story a little more difficult to settle into than book one. There is a lot of swapping back and forth between characters that got a little confusing at times. But I guess that it added to the atmosphere of the book while also emphasizing the struggle with schizophrenia that occurs through the story. The mental illness is captured so realistically- textured with some darkness, heartbreak, and emotion.
Thought provoking for sure!
Thank you, M. Billiter and Kyle Thomas!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is one crazy story! It took me on a ride with some high highs and low lows. I was shocked and surprised more than once. In here we continue following the twins as they are almost done with college. The last book left me confused and this one took some of that away. I wasn’t a fan of the misdirection throughout because later in the book things change…which made me doubt what I had previously read. So cryptic yes..but I don’t want to give anything away. These characters are very well done and had me feeling for them and hoping they do well.
Anyway by the end I forgave the author and just sat dumbfounded and saddened. Mental health is no joke. This shows the stigma attached to certain monikers. Listening to those kids in the Depression group is enlightening. Even What the twins have gone through and how people act toward them. Over this is a good read. I would recommend reading book 1 first. It will help with understanding some aspects of this one.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by M. Billiter with Kyle Thomas
5 Stars
This author crept up on me in the first book of this series and literally blew me away. This story was no different and with the addition of her son’s input and the what if factor finished me off. What an emotional read! There were a couple spots where I found I had to put the book down because I couldn’t see through the tears. After reading the first, which by the way still brings back all the emotions as if I was still reading it, I had a feeling there was more coming, the minute I could physically have this book on my kindle I did.
You have to be able to focus while reading. Any distractions could leave you feeling confused, so if there’s any warning from me, that would be it. There are some tough parts that were a bit hard to get through but life with this kind of condition can’t be all sunshine and roses unfortunately.
I’m not even going to try to sum up anything storyline wise, You have to read this, but I do highly recommend reading the first book and not just the stories in each but cover to cover.
This was a Phenomenal story that will no doubt stay with me for a long long time. I will absolutely read both of these again maybe more than once.
Feels weird to say I loved it, or I enjoyed it, but it doesn’t feel weird to say I literally could not put it down and hated when it ended…
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by Mary Billiter and Kyle Thomas is a compelling and dark story that may cause triggers as it deals with mental health issues, abuse and suicide. The story has many, many emotions, it is frustrating, heartfelt and heart breaking. I found it hard at times having had a mental health problem myself. Mary gives us realistic look at a mental disorder and an insight into the mind of someone who has schizophrenia and how it affects themselves and those around them. I had trouble settling into the story as the back and forth between characters was a little confusing at times, but this could be because I was a little unsettled reading it. It is a fictional story but written from experience and input from Kyle who has first-hand knowledge.
Reviewed by @jennadb
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2). I highly recommend reading these in order to start off. Now for my view on this book, I really appreciate the way this author tells a story. The entire story draws you in and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end. The characters are complex and well written. From beginning to end I was completely hooked. I’ve seen this book be described as raw and I think that’s a great way of thinking about it. It’s a bit of a difficult subject but you can feel the authors emotions behind each page. It’s well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. It may have some triggers for some but I truly appreciate the words written. Four stars and highly recommended!
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin a four-star read that will keep you thrilled. This is number two in the Divided series and they could be read as stand-alone if needed but honestly I would advise you read them in order as they are all the same family and you get the depth then. I really, really loved this story and I only knocked it down as I got so confused when reading the POV of the brothers, it was just a little much for me as I kept getting mixed up, but that was me it could be covid brain as I seem to have so much on it, I lose my place easily. So, don’t let that put you off if you can usually keep up give it a go. What I will say is wow this author has done the mental health aspect so well, I loved that about this series, I normally get so angry as people don’t deal well they either gloss over, or just demonise people with major mental health issues, it was an emotional reward reading about these characters and finally getting to know the other side of what happens, I loved that.
Review by @saraoxo
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by M. Billiter with Kyle Thomas . 1st I want to say BRAVO to Mary BIlliter for tackling such a difficult subject. This is the second book in this series and I highly recommend reading the previous book first. Its the story of Mary and her twin sons Aaron & Branson who are off to college. Aaron is in Ohio and Branson is in their hometown college in Wyoming. Mary is a hard working single mom and has struggled raising these boys on her own. Their childhood was fairly turbulent and Mary as worked so hard to get the boys in college so when she is diagnosed with cancer the boys third twin David comes out. David has always been known as the third twin that exists in their minds and he is taking the illness of their mother and is determined to tear Branson & Aaron apart. David is a very evil figment in the mind of the twins and he loves to create havoc. Will Mary have to die knowing her boys will never survive the evil disease of Mental Illness? Be prepared when you start this book that you will not want to put it down.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The thriller and the crime genre are two of my favorites. I always look for these genres when I am looking for something to read. This story is no different. I love the idea of twins and one of them having a third twin, you read that right one of the twins has a twin in his brain and never seen. The characters are drafted in such a manner that you are feeling like you are right there with them. The plotline kept me sitting at the edge of my seat. I found myself flipping the pages just because I sat on the edge of my seat to see what is going to happen next. David the third twin is coming out more since their mom has gotten sick. How will Aaron and Branson handle their situation? What is David’s roll in the family dynamic? I highly recommend this story to get your adrenaline moving.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was so taken with the first book in this The Divided Series from M. Billiter and Kyle Thomas. I personally don’t think that this one should be read until you have first read the first book. In that one we meet the twins and discover the demons they are battling as well as the impact that they have on their family and life. In this one, The Divided Twin, we pick up when the twins are away at college and focus on the boys in a time of life that is complicated to live without an altering mental illness. I love how raw these books get. It is obvious the topic is close to the heart of the authors and it shines through in the way this takes no punches yet throws them over and over in a way that will make you question everything. I can’t get enough of these books and am really hopeful we will get more in the future of the twins stories. I will say this book takes really dark issues and may be triggering to some. I also feel like it is a good window into a world most are completely unaware exists and should be read, so proceed with what will be best for you.
Review by @lizaileen
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The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Billiter does an amazing job tackling a difficult subject in this book and series. This second book is best read in series order. This book follows Aaron and Branson and David and explores schizophrenia. A difficult topic but an amazing exploration of relationships and mental health. I was glued to the pages and really enjoy Billiter collaborating with her son in this book. Extremely well done.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin is the second book in M. Billiter’s series Divided that her son Kyle contributed to heavily. I would not recommend you to read it as a standalone as it is the same family as in book one, it is simply that the first book it was Tara, the mother, who was the lead, and in this one it was her sons, the twins Aaron and Branson. By giving us their story, from their point of view, Mary took us into a different direction and also the tone of the story changed into much more ‘young adult’.
If you have read the first book then you know that the series touches upon some very serious subject matters, the mental illness the most central one, and not only from the point of view of the person suffering it but also how it affects the whole family and their friends. As the writer has experience with this type of mental illness that is in the center stage of Divided through her son Kyle then it gets as real as it can and she approaches it all using facts and compassion that makes it even more real.
There are twists and turns and I think it is really the second half of the book when the story got so ramped up that I was left destroyed by the end. I have to say it was hard to keep Branson and Aaron apart and quite often I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to be reminded of whose head we were in but at the same time I do understand it as they were identical twins and they both suffered from the illness though it took slightly different shape and form from one twin to the other and one of them acknowledge and worked with it and the other one not …
Thank you Mary and Kyle for tackling this taboo subject and sharing it with us! It is a story that will haunt me for days to come!
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was really looking forward to reading the second book in this series as the first one intrigued me so much and again I found it be a fascinating read. The twins, Aaron and Branson, are really complex characters and I have enjoyed trying to understand them. Again the book delves into mental health and I think the authors did a great job with writing about it. I loved all the twists and turns in the story – some of them very unexpected!!
Overall a good read, not my usual genre but a good storyline and complex characters kept my interest throughout.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2)
By M. Billiter with Kyle Thomas
5 out of 5 stars
The story The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by M. Billiter with Kyle Thomas is a psychological thriller book. It is a story that pulled me in from the beginning and I was hooked. It is a book that had my emotions going up and down. The story tells the tale of Aaron and Branson. They are twins who are in their final year of college. There is also a third twin, David, who only exists in one of their minds. When their mother is diagnosed with cancer it sets off events that seem to tear the brothers apart. What does the future hold for Aaron and Branson? Read this book to find out. This is a story that had me guessing what was going to happen next. You can feel the conflict and at times anger that was part of the character’s lives. I couldn’t help but empathize with Aaron and Branson as they had a hard and difficult childhood. This is a story that has heartbreaking moments as well as moments that will make you think. Don’t miss out on a story that you won’t want to put down until the final page. I found myself thinking about it even after I had finished the book. I would highly recommend reading it.
The Divided Twin by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. This is the second book in this series which I enjoyed just as much if not more than the first. This is a well developed story that kept me turning pages to the end. I had no problem connecting with the characters. They made the story engaging and made it easy to read. They pulled me into the story with ease and made me a part of it. In this story we have Aaron and Branson who are identical twins. There is a third twin, David, but he lives in one of the other twins minds. When their mom gets sick, David starts really coming out. What will happen when he does? This story has a few twists and turns that left me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a fast paced page turner that I highly recommend.
Review by @bjwagner
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The Divided Twin (The Divided Series Book 2) by M. Billiter with Kyle Thomas
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Genre – Thriller
Page Count – 314 pages
Cover Designer – Claire Smith with BookSmith Design
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50230254-the-divided-twin
Identical twins Aaron and Branson Kovak are in their final year of college—Aaron’s in Ohio, while Branson remains in their home state of Wyoming. There’s also the third twin, David, who only exists in one of their minds.
Despite the distance between them, Aaron and Branson are united by a turbulent childhood they survived together. As they enter adulthood, David comes out of the shadows to wreak havoc on the real world—his idea of fun.
When their mom is diagnosed with cancer, the ties that bind the twins incite David to tear them apart at the seams.
Will they stand or fall together, or separately?
Billiter is the alter ego of contemporary, award-winning romance author, Mary Billliter.
After writing more than a dozen love stories, she is exploring the other side. Best known for her emotional honesty, Mary doesn’t write about well-adjusted people, but rather the wounds in life.
Billiter writes with clarity and raw emotion to explore difficult subjects and issues close to her heart.
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A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind
M. Billiter
⅘ stars
I didn’t quite know what I was getting into when I picked up A Divided Mind. I had been expecting a suspenseful thriller but this is a whole different genre. That being said, the story really delivered. This was a gripping story about family and mental illness unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
A Divided Mind had me feeling the words and imagining what the characters were experiencing. The story is really well written. I have not read anything by M. Billiter in the past but I would be curious to do so in the future.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I give A Divided Mind by Mary Billiter, 4 stars.
High school senior Branson finally has to admit that he hears voices. He knows what people will think, so he’s kept it hidden. But after an incident at school, he knows things will have to change. But what will this mean? Can’t he just be normal again? Meanwhile his mother has to come to terms with this. Her little boy is not perfect. What exactly is wrong with him? What will it all mean? What can she do to make it better? She’s his mother, she can fix it. Right?
This was an interesting book. It read to me more like a book of discovery and coping with mental illness than a thriller book in my personal opinion. Written as different viewpoints, it’s interesting to see how each person sees what is going on and how they deal with it. It is a very interesting book and I liked the progression of not only Branson, but of the whole family. This would be a great introduction to a new series, too.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
5 stars
I will start off by saying this wasn’t what I thought it would be but i was so invested in this book. Read this from cover to cover, don’t miss a word of it.
I don’t have the right words to even give this a proper review worth this book. I felt the emotions, I felt the turmoil and guilt.
I will say this isn’t an average thriller type book, but it’s so worth the read.
This book will stay with me for a very long time.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind by Mary Billiter a dividing four-star read. This is a very well-done story on Mental Health the author has done it so well it really is true to life, you will feel for the characters and really get sucked into the story. I would have given this five-stars, but I found it a little confusing due to the POV’s, just as I was getting into one it changed. Tara was a good character but weirdly I enjoyed the chapters from her POV more than her as a person. Branson and Aaron just made me care and really feel them, the pain they felt was so palpable you could almost taste it. The family dynamics were hard to read at times, but overall very well done.
Review by @saraoxo
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Star
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter is a emotional rollercoaster ride about the struggles of a family dealing with mental illness. Holy Cow what a ride , I found myself lost in the pages and couldn’t stop till I finished. This story had my emotions all over the place and at times my heart hurt for Branson and even his mom. Get ready to be taken on a journey with this family as they try to keep it together while dealing with mental illness. I’ve worked in healthcare for a long time and it simply breaks my heart to see patients struggling with day to day life imagine how difficult that task would be if you had multiple personalities? Hearing voices in your head can seem real even when it’s not. Find out what happens next in this book I highly recommend reading.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind
By M. Billiter
A Divided MInd is yet another great book by M. Billiter. I really do recommend that this book is read by everyone. What was hard reading this book was the struggle Mary’s son and family were going through in dealing with mental illness. A Divided MInd is based on this struggle that as a family they were going through. What was nice to read was that the son this book is based on had an input into the story which for me made me feel more and get pulled into the story further than I already was from the beginning. SO if you want a heartbreaking yet beautifully written book this is the one book you have to read this month. Thank you, Mary for sharing your story and this book definitely deserves more than five stars
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind By Mary Billiter. This book really pulled me in. It was a welcome surprise to read something a bit different and about a subject that some can find difficult to understand. I was on an emotional roller coaster ride but truly enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It’s well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. The characters are complex and truly unique. I’m giving this story a five star review and highly recommend it.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter is a story that I would keep a box of tissues close. When I saw the cover I knew I needed to read this book. M. Billiter did an amazing job with her story about schizophrenic patients. I never had the experience of knowing someone with this disability, but I can just imagine how difficult it may be. This story is about Branson who deals with the voices in his head. It hard at times to distinguish who is in Branson’s head or in the flesh. The struggle is real and the journey you go with Branson is a difficult one. Will this book open your eyes or keep you in the dark? Will Branson story touch your heart? This story is an emotional roller coaster ride that may stick with you awhile.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind was a really interesting read, not my usual go to book but I had seen a few recommendations for the story so thought I would give it a go. The author kept me on my toes the whole way through the story and the alternating POV’s meant that I got the story from different angles which was great – there was a real depth to the story. I thought the author portrayed mental health really well in the story, there were no cliché’s which I have come across before it was a raw, emotional story of a young person’s struggles and how these struggles impact both him and his family around him.
This is definitely a story that makes you think and with mental health a subject now that is being talked about more and more I think this story really does have a place. I really enjoyed reading it even if hard at times and I think they author really did do a great job with the story as a whole. I definitely recommend it to others.
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I talk to myself, doesn’t everybody?”
POWERFUL POWERFUL POWERFUL
Did you know that the National Institution of Mental Health (NIMH) has a helpline you can call. If you are able to identify with certain portions of this book and aren’t seeing a therapist, feel free to call the helpline and ask them what they think. They can be reached at 866 415 8051
Review by @angelahayes
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A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
5 Stars
This is the first book that I have read from this author and I was truly blown away. The story is about a boy who is diagnosed with schizophrenia and his family’s struggle to deal with it, especially his mother. It is a gripping and harrowing tale of what a schizophrenic goes through. The author describes in detail the delusions, confusion and sometimes terror of what they see and feel.
Someone I love is schizophrenic so this story hit close to home. I can fully understand what Tara was going through. The feelings of helplessness and longing to help the person yet knowing there is nothing that you can do. Watching a loved one fight their own mind and struggle for sanity.
This book is extremely well written. The author really hit the nail on its head. There are constant twists and turns. Forewarning: this is not a happy story but the bare reality of an agonizing disease. I was nervous about reading this book but I’m so glad that I did.
Review by @Anna Hirsch
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A Divided Mind by M. Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Divided Mind by M. Billiter . This book was amazing. You know when you read a good book and you can’t stop thinking about it, this is that book . This book resonates with me because I suffer from depression. Its the story of Branson a high school student and his mother Tara. Branson has mental illness and and is coming to terms with it. Tara tries her best and isn’t always the best mom but she does everything in love. Branson’s family and friends don’t always understand his illness and they do and say very inappropriate things. This story delves into how mental illness doesn’t only effect the person but the whole family. Tara also has a high stress job while trying to help Branson the best she can and deal with family who doesn’t understand. This book will pull at your heart strings, make you furious and make you laugh. Its the best book on mental illness I’ve read. Its not just cookie cutter medicine. Read this story and you will love it and will think about it long after you have read it!
